Easy Pasta Salad

This Easy Pasta Salad recipe is quick and easy to make, and it tastes AMAZING! If you’re looking for the PERFECT dish to bring to a pot luck dinner, this is the one! It is a recipe you’ll make again and again, always a crowd-pleaser!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ElevateYourMeal #CollectiveBias

When I was growing up, one of my favorite parts of getting together with my extended family was the yummy dishes that everyone would bring to share. Heck, that’s still my favorite part!

This Easy Pasta Salad was one that was a staple at family gatherings and it’s always been a hit with my kids because they love anything with pasta. There are also a lot of fresh, fun flavors in it which is a WIN WIN for everyone!

Speaking of the pasta, I used a new favorite – Barilla® Collezione. It’s a premium pasta with fantastic taste and texture that elevates everyday meals. Thanks to Barilla® Collezione I can make my pasta meals, like this one, extra special.

You can seriously taste the Collezione difference in this classic, comforting meal. Barilla® Collezione features six artisanal pasta shapes (and Barilla’s signature Totellini) and is crafted using traditional Italian bronze plates for a homemade “al dente” texture that perfectly holds sauces every time. Barilla® Collezione pasta is also made with non-GMO ingredients.

Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s very versatile. You don’t have to use all of the ingredients and you can add any others that you love. Don’t like capers? Feel free to leave them out. Love mushrooms? Throw them right in. I think chopped artichoke hearts and roasted red pepper would both be great additions. This is one of those salads that totally works with what you have on hand.

If you want to make this into a more hearty meal, you could easily add chicken or shrimp or serve salmon on the side! My husband doesn’t think it is a meal if it doesn’t have meat. Ha!

THIS IS HOW SIMPLE IT IS TO MAKE EASY PASTA SALAD:

All you are going to do is add these ingredients. My trick is to chop and slice everything before cooking the pasta. This recipe moves quick!

The ingredients for the salad are pretty straightforward:

lots of fresh tomatoes and herbs

olive oil and garlic

kalamata and black olives (I buy pre sliced)

salty capers

feta cheese galore (I used reduced-fat)

Barilla® Collezione Bucatini – so good!

And if you’re feeling like switching things up, feel free to get creative!

THE BEST WAY TO COOK THE PASTA:

People like their pasta cooked differently. For me, I like it just a little firm so it won’t get mushy when you mix it. Barilla® Collezione Bucatini cooks really fast. It’s al dente after just about 7 minutes. Keep a close watch!

Make sure when cooking pasta, you season it with salt. Not only does it make it boil faster, it makes your pasta taste delicious.

I recommend also adding about 1 tablespoon of olive oil as your water is boiling. This will keep the pasta from sticking together. No one likes big chunks of pasta.

Wait until you have a nice boil before adding your pasta! That allow the oil to spread around the water so it will evenly coat the pasta.

For even more great tips on cooking the best pasta possible, give this video from Gordon Ramsey a watch. You’ll have perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious pasta every time!

Have you tried Barilla® Collezione? Spend $15 on any Collezione products between 09/06/18 and 11/26/18 and receive a $5 reward. Grab the offer here!

LIKE THIS EASY PASTA SALAD RECIPE? YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE!

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5 from 12 votes

Nutrition Facts

Easy Pasta Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 379Calories from Fat 143

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15.9g24%

Saturated Fat 3.2g16%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 8.3mg3%

Sodium 477mg20%

Potassium 71.5mg2%

Total Carbohydrates 47g16%

Dietary Fiber 3.9g16%

Sugars 2g

Protein 12.5g25%

Vitamin A22.8%

Vitamin C39.5%

Calcium6%

Iron14.8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Servings:6servings

Easy Pasta Salad

Prep Time:

15mins

Cook Time:

10mins

Total Time:

25mins

This Easy Pasta Salad recipe is quick and easy to make, and it tastes AMAZING! Always a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

12ouncesBarilla® Collezione Bucatini

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4cupextra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2tablespoonsminced fresh garlic (about 4 cloves)

1 1/2poundsroma tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2cupsliced black olives

1/4cupsliced kalamata olives

5ouncescrumbled feta cheese

3tablespoonsdrained capers

1/4cupfinely minced fresh parsley

1/4cupfresh chopped basil ribbons

Instructions

Cook Barilla® Collezione Bucatini in boiling salted water w/ 1 tablespoon olive oil and according to directions on package.

When pasta is nearly finished heat olive oil in a small skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and sauté until just lightly golden, about 1 minute.

Drain pasta and pour into a large serving bowl or mixing bowl. Pour olive oil and garlic mixture over pasta. Add in tomatoes, black olives, kalamata olives, feta, capers and parsley then toss to evenly coat while seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Toss in basil and serve.

Recipe Notes

Be sure to have ingredients chopped and ready so you can add them in while the pasta is hot.

I love the flavours in this pasta salad. I’ve never used bucatini this way. Will have to try it! Looks delicious! Here in Italy, we don’t usually add olive oil to the water because it coats the pasta and stops it from absorbing the sauce.

This looks amazing, as I love all these ingredients. Just one question, pasta salads are typically served cold. However you say to chop all the ingredients so you can add to hot pasta and serve? So is this a cold dish or hot?

Thanks so much. It is really delicious! I first served it warm, but we ate the leftovers chilled. This pasta salad would is great warm, room temperature or chilled. Hope you get a chance to give it a try!